Device for holding bush member with drill column of machine

ABSTRACT

A device for holding a bush member with a drill column of a machine is disclosed. The device includes a first member adapted to engage with the bush member. The device also includes a second member spaced apart from the first member. The second member is coupled to the first member by a connecting member. The second member includes an opening to receive the drill column. The device includes a flange member removably coupled to the second member. The flange member includes a first engagement portion adapted to contact with an outer surface of the drill column having a first perimeter. The first engagement portion is supported on a step portion defined in the drill column.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a drilling machine, and more particularly to a device for holding a bush member with a drill column of the drilling machine.

BACKGROUND

Drilling machines, such as rotary blasthole drills, are employed in various industries, such as mining and construction, for performing drilling operations on a work surface. Typically, a rotary blasthole drill includes a drill string having a drill column connected to a drill bit, such as a tri-cone bit. The drill column is guided by a deck bushing in a deck of the rotary blasthole drill. The drill column is provided to transmit a rotational motion and a translation motion received from a rotary head and a feed system, respectively, to the drill bit for performing the drilling operations.

Due to repeated drilling operations, the drill bit may be subjected to wear and, therefore, may require either replacement or sharpening of the drill bit. Replacement of the drill bit requires hoisting and supporting of the deck bushing above the deck. In addition, dimensional characteristics, such as size and weight, of the deck bushing render handling of the deck bushing, difficult. As such, during attempts to replace the deck bushing manually, without aid of any support, the deck bushing may slide off the drill column and may cause physical injury to maintenance personnel involved in the replacement activity.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In one aspect of the present disclosure, a device for holding a bush member with a drill column of a machine is provided. The device includes a first member adapted to engage with the bush member. The device also includes a second member spaced apart from the first member. The second member is coupled to the first member by a connecting member. The second member includes an opening to receive a wrench flat of the drill column therein. The device includes a flange member removably coupled to the second member. The flange member includes a first engagement portion adapted to contact with an outer surface of the drill column having a first perimeter. The first engagement portion is supported on a step portion defined in the drill column.

Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a drilling machine having a drill column;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of an encircled region “A” of FIG. 1 showing a device attached to the drill column of the drilling machine, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the device of the FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the device attached to the drill column of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the device attached to a drill column, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the device assembled to the drill column of FIG. 4 of the drilling machine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to specific embodiments or features, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, corresponding or similar reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or corresponding parts.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a drilling machine 10 with a drill column 12. The drilling machine 10 is embodied as a rotary blasthole drill machine. The drilling machine 10 includes a drill deck 14, a drill tower 16 supported on the drill deck 14, an operator cabin 18 for accommodating an operator, a drill string 20, and a transport mechanism 22, such as crawler tracks, for propelling the drilling machine 10 over a work surface (not shown). The drill tower 16 is pivotally coupled to the drill deck 14 and movable in various positions about a pivot (not shown) disposed in the drilling machine 10. The drill tower 16 includes a top end 26 and a bottom end 28. The top end 26 of the drill tower 16 supports a work head 30. The bottom end 28 is pivotally coupled to the drill deck 14 of the drilling machine 10. In one example, the work head 30 may be a rotary drill head. Further, the drill tower 16 also supports a feed system 32, such as a cable feed system, a chain feed system or a rack-and-pinion feed system, for moving the work head 30 in an upward direction and a downward direction parallel to a vertical axis X-X defined by the drill tower 16. In one example, the drill string 20 may include a shock absorber (not shown) disposed between the work head 30 and the drill column 12, for absorbing shock loads generated during the drilling operation. The drill column 12 extends from the top end 26 of the drill tower 16 to the bottom end 28.

FIG. 2 illustrates an enlarged view of an encircled region “A” of FIG. 1 showing a device 24 attached to the drill column 12 of the drilling machine 10. The drill string 20 includes the drill column 12 that is coupled to the work head 30. The drill string 20 also includes a bush member 34 and a tool bit 36 coupled to the drill column 12. The drill column 12 includes an upper end (not shown) and a lower end 38. The upper end of the drill column 12 is coupled to the work head 30. The lower end 38 of the drill column 12 is coupled to the tool bit 36. More specifically, the lower end 38 includes a first threaded portion (not shown) engageable with a second threaded portion 39 (shown in FIG. 6) of the tool bit 36, for coupling the tool bit 36 with the drill column 12. The tool bit 36 is embodied as a tri-cone drill bit. The drill column 12 transfers rotational torque from the work head 30 to the tool bit 36 for performing the drilling operation on the work surface.

The drill column 12 includes an outer surface 40 having a first cylindrical portion 42, and a second cylindrical portion 44. The drill column 12 also includes a wrench flat 46 that is provided between the first cylindrical portion 42 and the second cylindrical portion 44. A step portion 50 is defined in the drill column 12. More specifically, the step portion 50 is defined between the wrench flat 46 and the second cylindrical portion 44 of the drill column 12. In the present embodiment, the drill column 12 has a first perimeter defined by the wrench flat 46. Dimensional characteristics, such as length and diameter, of the drill column 12 may vary based on the drilling operation to be performed in the work surface, without limiting the scope of the present disclosure. The drill column 12 is guided through the drill deck 14 of the drilling machine 10 to the work surface by the bush member 34. More specifically, the drill column 12 is guided by the bush member 34 through an opening 51 formed in the drill deck 14 of the drilling machine 10 to the work surface, for performing the drilling operation on the work surface.

The bush member 34 includes an outer member 52 and an inner member 54. The outer member 52 has a cylindrical shape. The outer member 52 includes a flange portion 56 having a first surface 60 and a second surface 62. The inner member 54 is concentrically disposed within the outer member 52. The inner member 54 is rotatable with respect to the outer member 52 of the bush member 34 about a vertical axis Y-Y′ defined by the drill column 12. In one example, the bush member 34 may include a number of steel balls disposed between the outer member 52 and the inner member 54, thereby allowing the rotation of the inner member 54 with respect to the outer member 52. In another example, a bearing assembly (not shown) may be provided between the outer member 52 and the inner member 54.

The inner member 54 includes a bore 64 for receiving the drill column 12 therein along the vertical axis Y-Y′. The inner member 54 forms a surface contact with the outer surface 40 of the drill column 12. More specifically, the inner member 54 forms the surface contact with the outer surface 40 of the drill column 12 such that the inner member 54 rotates along with the drill column 12. During the drilling operation, the bush member 34 is sited in the drill deck 14 of the drilling machine 10 such that the outer member 52 remains stationary with respect to the drill deck 14 and the inner member 54 rotates along with the drill column 12.

The operator cabin 18 is supported on the drill deck 14 of the drilling machine 10. The operator cabin 18 includes a number of input devices (not shown) for controlling drilling operations and various other operations associated with the drilling machine 10. The input devices may include, but are not limited to, a push-button, a control lever, and a steering wheel. The input devices are provided to control a movement of various actuators, such as an actuator 66 (shown in FIG. 1), in order to move the drill tower 16 between different positions depending on the type of application, without limiting the scope of the present disclosure.

During the drilling operation, the tool bit 36 is subjected to wear and, therefore require replacement of the tool bit 36. During replacement of the tool bit 36 from the drill column 12, the bush member 34 should be hoisted and supported above the drill deck 14 of the drilling machine 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the bush member 34 is hoisted and supported above the drill deck 14 with aid of the device 24, which will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 to 4. The device 24 holds the bush member 34 above the drill deck 14 of the drilling machine 10 while removing the tool bit 36 from the drill column 12, thereby restricting the movement of the bush member 34 along the vertical axis Y-Y′.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of the device 24. The device 24 includes a first member 68 for engaging with the bush member 34. The first member 68 has a U-shaped profile. The first member 68 includes a top surface 70 and a bottom surface 72. The first member 68 also includes a first outer periphery 74 and a first inner periphery 76. The first inner periphery 76 has dimensional characteristics corresponding to dimensional characteristics of the bush member 34, such that the first member 68 is detachably attached with the bush member 34.

The device 24 includes a second member 78 having a U-shaped profile. The second member 78 includes an upper surface 80 and a lower surface 82 having a pair of stoppers 83. The second member 78 also includes a second outer periphery 84 and a second inner periphery 86. The second member 78 includes a first arm 87 and a second arm 88 parallel to the first arm 87. Each of the first arm 87 and the second arm 88 includes a pair of holes (not shown) extending between the upper surface 80 and the lower surface 82 thereof. Each of the first and second arms 87, 88 also includes a pair of fastening nuts 89. The fastening nuts 89 are aligned with the holes and welded to the upper surface 80 of the first arm 87 and the second arm 88. Further, the second member 78 includes an opening 90 to receive the drill column 12 therein.

The second member 78 is spaced apart from the first member 68. More specifically, the second member 78 is spaced apart from the first member 68 along a vertical axis Z-Z′. The second member 78 is coupled to the first member 68 by a number of connecting members 91. More specifically, the connecting members 91 are welded to the first member 68 and the second member 78 of the device 24, thereby connecting the first member 68 with the second member 78. The connecting members 91 are welded to the first outer periphery 74 of the first member 68 and the second outer periphery 84 of the second member 78. Although the device 24 shown in the accompanying figures includes three connecting members 91, the number of connecting members 91 may vary based on various parameters including, but not limited to, a size and a weight of the bush member 34.

The device 24 also includes a handling member 92 connected to the upper surface 80 of the second member 78. More specifically, the handling member 92 is welded to the upper surface 80 of the second member 78. The handling member 92 has a tubular cross-section. The handling member 92 is provided for assisting maintenance personal for holding and positioning the device 24, while attaching and removing the device 24 from the drill column 12.

Further, the device 24 includes a pair of flange members 93. The pair of flange members 93 includes a first flange member 94 and a second flange member 95. Each of the first flange member 94 and the second flange member 95 has a rectangular profile. Each of the first flange member 94 and the second flange member 95 includes a first engagement portion 96 and a second engagement portion 97. The first engagement portion 96 includes a first flat portion 98 and a first curvilinear portion 99. Similarly, the second engagement portion 97 includes a second flat portion 100 and a second curvilinear portion 101.

Further, each of the first flange member 94 and the second flange member 95 includes a pair of holes 102 located between the first engagement portion 96 and the second engagement portion 97. More specifically, the pair of holes 102 is located at a first distance “L1” from the first engagement portion 96 and at a second distance “L2” from the second engagement portion 97. In the present embodiment, the first distance “L1” is greater than the second distance “L2”. The pair of holes 102 of the first flange member 94 and the second flange member 95 is aligned with the pair of holes of the first arm 87 and the second arm 88, respectively, during assembly of the first and second flange members 94, 95 with the second member 78.

The device 24 also includes a pair of bracket members 103 coupled to the first arm 87 and the second arm 88 of the second member 78. More specifically, the bracket members 103 are welded on the second outer periphery 84 of the second member 78. Each of the bracket members 103 includes a pair of holes 104 and a pair of fastening nuts 105. The fastening nuts 105 are welded to the bracket members 103 such that the fastening nuts 105 are aligned with the pair of holes 104. The bracket members 103 are provided for holding the first flange member 94 and the second flange member 95, when the first flange member 94 and the second flange member 95 are removed from the first arm 87 and the second arm 88 after the intended usage thereof. More specifically, the bracket members 103 are used for storing the first and second flange members 94, 95, when the first and second flange members 94, 95 are not in use.

FIG. 4 illustrates a sectional view of the device 24 attached to the drill column 12. Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the flange members 93 are selectively coupled to the second member 78 of the device 24. More specifically, the first flange member 94 and the second flange member 95 are removably coupled to the first arm 87 and the second arm 88, respectively, via fastening members 106. The fastening members 106 may include, but are not limited to, an anchor bolt, a threaded fastener, a threaded rod, and a screw anchor. The fastening members 106 are received through the pair of holes 102 of the first and second flange members 94, 95 and the pair of holes of the first and second arms 87, 88, thereby coupling the first flange member 94 and the second flange member 95 with the first arm 87 and the second arm 88, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 4, the first member 68 engages with the bush member 34. More specifically, a portion of the top surface 70 of the first member 68 abuts a portion of the first surface 60 of the flange portion 56 of the bush member 34, such that the bush member 34 is supported by the first member 68. The first engagement portion 96 of each of the flange members 93 is supported on the step portion 50 of the drill column 12. More specifically, the first flat portion 98 of each of the flange members 93 is supported on the step portion 50 of the drill column 12, therefore restricting the movement of the device 24 in the downward direction along the vertical axis Y-Y′. In an example, the first engagement portion 96 of each of the flange members 93 is supported on the drill column 12 having the first perimeter 3.5 inches. The first curvilinear portion 99 of each of the flange members 93 abuts the outer surface 40 of the drill column 12, thereby minimizing slippage of the device 24 from the drill column 12. More specifically, the first curvilinear portion 99 of each of the flange members 93 abuts the second cylindrical portion 44 of the drill column 12.

FIG. 5 illustrates a sectional view of the device 24 attached to a drill column 107 of FIG. 4, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The drill column 107 includes an outer surface 108 having a first cylindrical portion (not shown), and a second cylindrical portion 110. The drill column 107 also includes a wrench flat 111 that is provided between the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion 110. A step portion 112 is defined in the drill column 107. More specifically, the step portion 112 is defined between the wrench flat 111 and the second cylindrical portion 110 of the drill column 107. In the present embodiment, the wrench flat 111 of the drill column 107 has a second perimeter that is greater than the first perimeter of the wrench flat 46 of the drill column 12. Dimensional characteristics, such as length and diameter, of the drill column 107 may vary based on the drilling operation to be performed in the work surface, without limiting the scope of the present disclosure.

As described earlier, the first flange member 94 and the second flange member 95 are selectively coupled to the second member 78. Referring to FIG. 5, the flange members 93 are coupled to the second member 78 in a manner that the second engagement portion 97 of each of the flange members 93 is supported on the step portion 112 of the drill column 107. More specifically, the second flat portion 100 of each of the flange members 93 may be supported on the step portion 112 of the drill column 107. In an example, the second engagement portion 97 of each of the flange members 93 is supported on the step portion 112 of the drill column 107 having the second perimeter 4.5 inches. The second curvilinear portion 101 of each of the flange members 93 abuts the outer surface 108 of the drill column 107, thereby minimizing slippage of the device 24 from the drill column 107. More specifically, the second curvilinear portion 101 of each of the flange members 93 abuts the second cylindrical portion 110 of the drill column 107. Further, the first member 68 of the device 24 engages with a bush member 113 that guides the drill column 107 along the vertical axis Y-Y′. The bush member 113 includes an outer member 114 and an inner member 115. The inner member 115 forms a surface contact with the outer surface 108 of the drill column 107.

In yet another embodiment, the first flange member 94 and the second flange member 95 are removed from the second member 78 to accommodate a drill column (not shown) having a third perimeter within the opening 90 of the second member 78. The first flange member 94 and the second flange member 95 may be attached to the pair of bracket members 103, via the fastening members 106. The third perimeter is greater than the first perimeter and the second perimeter. In an example, the third perimeter of the drill column may be 5 inches. In such an embodiment, a portion of each of the first arm 87 and the second arm 88 is supported on a step portion (not shown) of the drill column. The pair of stoppers 83 abuts an outer surface of the drill column, thereby minimizing slippage of the device 24 from the drill column.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present disclosure relates to the device 24 for holding the hush member 34 with the drill column 12 of the drilling machine 10, while removing the tool bit 36 from the drill column 12. The device 24 holds the bush member 34 above the drill deck 14 of the drilling machine 10, thereby restricting the movement of the bush member 34 in the upward direction and the downward direction along the vertical axis X-X′. This eliminates slippage of the bush member 34 in the downward direction while removing the tool bit 36 from the drill column 12.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the device 24 assembled to the drill column 12 of the drilling machine 10. As shown in FIG. 6, the device 24 ensures that the bush member 34 is firmly held with the drill column 12 even after removal of the tool bit 36 from the drill column 12. This ensures safety of maintenance personnel involved in removal of the tool bit 36. Further, the device 24 minimizes manual handling of the bush member 34 during removal of the tool bit 36 from the drill column 12.

The device 24 can be used in any type of the drilling machine 10, such as a mechanically powered drilling machine, a hydraulically powered drilling machine, an electrically powered drilling machine, and a pneumatically powered drilling machine. The device 24 can be used for holding the bush member 34 with the drill column 12 with different dimensional characteristics. Therefore, the device 24 has a wide range of application across industries. Moreover, the device 24 can be conveniently retrofittable with the drill column 12 for holding the bush member 34. Therefore, the present disclosure offers the device 24 for holding the bush member 34, which is economical and cost effective.

While aspects of the present disclosure have been particularly shown and described with reference to the embodiments above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may be contemplated by the modification of the disclosed machines, systems, and methods without departing from the spirit and scope of what is disclosed. Such embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the present disclosure as determined based upon the claims and any equivalents thereof. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for holding a bush member with a drill column of a machine, the device comprising: a first member adapted to engage with the bush member; a second member spaced apart from the first member, and coupled to the first member by a connecting member, the second member includes an opening to receive the drill column therein; and a flange member removably coupled to the second member, the flange member includes a first engagement portion adapted to contact with an outer surface of the drill column having a first perimeter, wherein the first engagement portion is supported on a step portion defined in the drill column.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the flange member includes a second engagement portion opposite to the first engagement portion, wherein the second engagement portion is adapted to contact with an outer surface of the drill column having a second perimeter.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the flange member includes a hole between the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion to allow coupling of the flange member with the second member via a fastening member, wherein the hole is located at a first distance from the first engagement portion and at a second distance from the second engagement portion to selectively couple the flange member with the second member based on the first perimeter and the second perimeter of the drill column. 